MDTS: Dancing my heart out

Over the past six months, I've been periodically asked to recount my adventures to more and more people.  Each time I remember something different or more things that have slipped my mind.  This is one:

We were in White River, South Africa, helping out with an organization called Ten Thousand Homes.  We went to a nearby organization that feeds the neighborhood children every week.  We got to talk to the kids, play with them, help pass out the food, teach Bible lessons, and generally bring love and joy to everyone we saw.

On the second, and final, time we were there, all of the sudden Shakira's "Waka Waka", which basically has the same kind of frenetic energy-catalyzing power as "Gangnam Style" has in the States, started playing.  The kids all stopped, cheered at the top of their lungs, and proceeded to dance.

and so did I.

I danced with all my might.  I picked up little kids and danced with them.  I jumped and skipped and sang with my arms open, my feet kicking, and my heart flying.  If I had to define the meaning of JOY, that's what I think of.

Then we dance twice more.

I don't have much opportunities to dance with complete ABANDON.  Here's a somewhat secret: I love to dance.  But I've been generally too chicken to do so without the proper context (i.e. wedding receptions).  And certainly not with such carefree attitude.  But that day…oh my word, one of the best experiences of my life, hands down.

Sometimes I play Waka Waka in my car and have a mini-party, recapturing that afternoon.

I think I'd like to live my life more that way: arms wide open, complete abandon, unfettered feet, full freedom, heart soaring.

Here's the song if you'd like to listen: